Atletico need to show Alvarez why he must stay

Julian Alvarez has established himself as Atletico Madrid’s key player but the club still need to prove to the Argentina international they belong among Europe’s elite and can fulfil his ambitions.

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The Rojiblancos’ visit to last season’s semifinalists Arsenal in the Champions League on Oct 21 (Oct 22, Singapore time) is a fine opportunity to test their mettle.

Diego Simeone’s side are unbeaten in six games across all competitions since they fell to a last-minute defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in September.

In the following days, there was renewed speculation that Barcelona were interested in signing Alvarez next summer as a replacement for Polish veteran Robert Lewandowski.

“People always talk,” said Alvarez, neither fanning the flames of the rumours nor quashing them. He joined Atletico in a deal worth €85 million (S$128.2 million) from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 and scored 29 times in a strong first season.

Veteran Antoine Griezmann’s influence on the team receded and Alvarez took up the reins, particularly in the second half of the campaign.